If you don’t pressure Peyton Manning, you’re not going to win. It’s that simple. Finishing without a sack – which the Chiefs did – is unacceptable. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

4. New Orleans Saints (8-2)

NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 10: Wide receiver Marques Colston #12 of the New OrleanThe defense limited Frank Gore to 48 yards, Marques Colston became the franchise’s all-time leading receiver and Garrett Hartley made three fourth-quarter field goals – this after missing four of his previous six attempts – in a 23-20 win over the 49ers. A first-round playoff bye appears likely. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

5. Carolina Panthers (7-3)

Believe the hype. This team is legit. Cam Newton may have grown up Monday night. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Newton and the Panthers can take a big step toward the No. 2 seed Sunday. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

6. New England Patriots (7-3)

The Patriots, who are 1-2 against teams currently with a winning record, have far and away the least impressive resume of any team in the top 10. A win against Denver would change that. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

7. Indianapolis Colts (7-3)

Slow starts – the Colts have been outscored 66-9 in the first half of their last three games – will doom this team come playoff time. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)

8. Cincinnati Bengals (7-4)

Down 13-0, the Bengals used a 31-point second quarter to cruise to their most lopsided win over the Browns since 2006. Believe it or not, the Bengals – the Bengals?! – are in the hunt for a first-round bye. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images)

9. Chicago Bears (6-4)

The Bears showed great resiliency in overcoming a 10-point deficit against Baltimore, and, with upcoming games against St. Louis and Minnesota, a winning streak just might be on the horizon. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)

10. San Francisco 49ers (6-4)

Yes, the 49ers’ four losses have come to teams with a combined 32-9 record, but if you can’t beat elite teams, guess what that makes you? Not elite. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

11. Detroit Lions (6-4)

Calvin Johnson had six catches for 179 yards and two touchdowns in the first half against Pittsburgh on Sunday. In the second half, he was shut out, and so were the Lions. Both are inexplicable. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

12. Philadelphia Eagles (6-5)

The Eagles got their first home win of the season and are now atop the NFC East. Wow. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

13. Dallas Cowboys (5-5)

The Cowboys might want to think about beating the Giants this Sunday. That would be a good make-the-playoffs strategy. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

14. Arizona Cardinals (6-4)

In the NFC East and NFC North, 6-4 would mean first place; in the NFC West, it means you’re three games back. Have no fear, Cardinals fans. Arizona is knocking on the Wild Card door. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

15. New York Jets (5-5)

The Jets’ average margin of victory this year is 3.8 points. Average margin of defeat? That would be 20.8. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

16. Miami Dolphins (5-5)

Back to .500, with Carolina coming to town. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

17. Green Bay Packers (5-5)

The Packers have lost three straight, including two in a row by a final score of 27-13, and Scott Tolzien (one touchdown, five interceptions) is playing like the third-string quarterback, which makes sense. Aaron, where art thou? (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

18. Baltimore Ravens (4-6)

The Ravens have lost five of seven – all by six points or fewer, including four by three points or fewer. That hurts. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)

19. New York Giants (4-6)

None of the victories is all that impressive, but the Giants’ four-game winning streak is the third-longest in football. They’re also just a game-and-a-half behind Philadelphia for the division lead. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

20. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-6)

Statement game from Big Ben and the Steelers. They’re not done yet, but they’ve got an awful lot of work to do. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

21. Cleveland Browns (4-6)

Jason Campbell (three interceptions) isn’t the answer, either. Can the Browns please get a quarterback? (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

22. San Diego Chargers (4-6)

The Chargers have lost three straight by single digits with the Chiefs and Bengals upcoming. Season over. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

23. St. Louis Rams (4-6)

We’ll see if the Rams’ bye did them any good. Their next four opponents – Chicago, San Francisco, Arizona and New Orleans – are all 6-4 or better. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

24. Oakland Raiders (4-6)

Matt McGloin and Rashad Jennings led the Raiders to their first road win of the season. Yes, you just read that sentence correctly. (Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images)

25. Washington Redskins (3-7)

Which was more egregious? RG3’s game-ending interception, or the Redskins going scoreless through three quarters? Memo to the Shanahan boys: Call pass plays before the fourth quarter. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

26. Buffalo Bills (4-7)

Four sacks, four turnovers and a pick-six. Quite a day for the defense, albeit against Geno Smith. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

27. Tennessee Titans (4-6)

The Titans have lost five of six with three straight road games upcoming. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-8)

Bobby Rainey had 32 touches for 167 yards and two touchdowns – which, truth be told, might say more about the Falcons than Bobby Rainey. Nevertheless, a winning streak. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

29. Minnesota Vikings (2-8)

Toby Gerhart carried for more yards than Adrian Peterson (67-65) despite 14 fewer carries. Imagine if the Vikings had one or two receivers who could eliminate nine-man fronts. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)

30. Atlanta Falcons (2-8)

How do you let Mike Glennon and Bobby Rainey put up 41 on you? That’s seven losses in eight games – and the Falcons have allowed 30+ in five of them. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

31. Houston Texans (2-8)

The Texans lost, at home, to Matt McGloin. That’s eight straight losses, the last four of which have come by a combined 12 points. (Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images)

32. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-9)

Jacksonville didn’t score after the first quarter, and Maurice Jones-Drew (14 carries for 23 yards) was held in check. Again. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)